US President Donald Trump started his term on the wrong foot when he imposed tariffs on his immediate neighbours in the north and south. Most of these tariffs broke pacts from trade agreements made between the United States, Canada and Mexico decades ago. Trump and his advisers found themselves flummoxed at the response from what he assumed were ‘weaker’ nations.
From then on, Trump started handing out tariffs around the globe as if they were candies. Those of us from struggling Third World countries had no response as the big bully held us up by the collar and took our lunch money. Meanwhile, in the Far East, a new anti-hero emerged.
Trump, who has long been threatened by China's
economic superiority, imposed 140 per cent tariffs on products imported from
China. The only problem is, almost every material thing America uses is
manufactured in China. From luxury goods to their ‘American-made’ Apple
products that are, in fact, manufactured in China.
In true Trump fashion, he expected China not to retaliate. After all, who would want to get into America's bad books? The answer, surprisingly, is everyone!
There's an old saying that goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” We are seeing this saying come to life as America makes enemies left, right and centre. Instead of everyone trembling in fear of the big bully, these countries are now partnering to make their own trade deals.
Earlier this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled around Asia, cementing partnerships. China, Japan and South Korea even managed to make a three-way handshake agreement. These three countries hated each other since the beginning of time. However, because of Trump’s decisions that could affect their businesses, the three countries decided to form alliances.
It looks like the world is coming together to form better partnership and deals that will completely oust America. America’s founding fathers worked hard to put America on the map as a formidable ally and foe. All their hard work seems to be unravelling at the hands of Donald Trump. America is no longer the only country that has nuclear weapons. America focused on warfare when China was busy building infrastructure and manufacturing plants.
Being an adult is understanding that no man or country is an island. We cannot exist without the others. This is where diplomacy comes into place. We work together as partners to get what we want through mutual respect.
My personal sentiment is that Trump and the rest of America are products of being raised on the belief that America is the greatest country in the world. A lie that has been fed down to them since the end of World War II. America is like any other country, built off the backs of immigrants, slaves and/or the working class.
It costs tens of thousands of dollars for an average American to give birth in a hospital. Meanwhile, even the poorest person in Kenya can give birth at any government hospital for negligible amounts. Tertiary education in America is so expensive that most students are bound by student loans for life. In Europe, all education is free.
I find myself confused even at the best of times as to what makes Americans think they are the best country in the world. Most of what they brag about is found in many other countries. Democracy, judiciary, a free and independent media, the ability to prosper regardless of one's background... All of these exist to some degree in most sovereign countries.
The result of raising generations on the belief that they live in the best country in the World is the current government in America. Where presidents don't consider that they need more allies than enemies, and senators don't know the difference between China and Singapore.
As America continues on this path to self-destruction, we watch with anticipation what their next move is. But whatever it is, it can be certain that most countries will not take their decisions lying down. Tit-for-tat seems to be the order of the day, as China squares off with America in a match that will reinvent the history of global leadership.
